Dining in Santa Fe - India Palace

I'm finally home :)

and not a minute too soon. It was getting a bit warm for my taste in the desert.

if you've ever driven from Arizona to Colorado, 

you know it isn't the most scenic drive, to say the least.

well this time, we spent the night in Santa Fe, NM which spiced up the trip.

literally.

our first stop was an old favorite.

India Palace

six years ago my family was stuck driving through Santa Fe on Christmas day. we were starving, and naturally everything was closed except this little Indian restaurant downtown. it just so happened to be some of the best Indian food we had ever had. So good, that six years later, we looked for it, found it, and had another DELICIOUS meal. 

the atmosphere is adorable and the staff is wonderfully pleasant.

(as if the food isn't good enough)

We ordered the chicken tikka, hot, the saag paneer (spinach and cheese), garlic naan and spinach paratha (bread filled with spinach). it was all delicious. 

if you are ever in the Santa Fe area and looking for some ethnic cuisine,

I HIGHLY recommend this place. 

more Santa Fe posts to come all week :)

This post is NOT sponsored, the opinions expressed in this post are my honest personal opinions.

Kappa Alpha Theta at ASU - Jannah Din Photography

Last week I had the pleasure of photographing the seniors of Kappa Alpha Theta at Arizona State University.

I can’t wait until I’m standing in their shoes!

(but who wouldn’t want to stand in shoes that cute?!)

you can learn more about the Kappa Alpha Theta Delta Epsilon chapter at their website, asutheta.com

Photo Story as of Lately

Lately I have been so busy,

this is the busiest time of year in terms of school work.

lucky for me, I love a lot of what I study in school.

Here is one of my recent assignments in photojournalism.

It was a photo story about an amazing little rider from Colorado.

It was a total pleasure following her and her fellow riders from 

Colorado Equestrian at Lions Crest

while they competed in the Scottsdale Carousel Horse Show.

Have a great weekend everyone :)

Anthropology Bedding

I'm a sucker for black and white anything,

especially decor.

I just love the mix of the clean light colors with rustic pieces.

When I saw this bedding last week, I fell in love. 

It is from ANTHROPOLOGIE

I just love the dimension of it 

and it's off white, more of a light grey, 

so that's nice in terms of keeping it clean as well. 

order it ... before I do :)

Matt Ladley is having more fun than you

It is board design season!!

And that means I HAVE to share this shot from XGames 2012.

Not only is it awesome for the obvious reasons that Matt Ladley is flying off of ice and making it look effortless, but his board is hilarious. I love it. 

Happy Monday :)

You can see more of my photography at my LUCK5280 ONLINE PORTFOLIO

Joseph Kony 2012

Many of you may have seen this video, as it is going viral,

but if you haven't, now is the time.

you have time. spend it this way.

KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

Please take time to share it.
If you blog - post it.
Facebook it, Tweet it, Email it. 

Etsy Find: USMC

this isn't my usual etsy find post, but equally worth sharing

one of the most important people in my life leaves this week for the next chapter of his life. I couldn't be more excited for him but it's never easy saying 'see ya later' to someone so important to you. I love him more than anything and he's my best friend in the whole world. 

now to make it relevant to all of you: etsy makes cute US Marines stuff :)

1. hand stamped necklace with crystal heart, from ARMYCHIC4LIFE 

2. USMC pearl drop from HER HERO

3. military bracelet from AT EASE DESIGNS

4. USMC dress blues baby crochet hat, from SWEET CROCHET CREATIONS

5. recycled bullet cufflinks from BULLET DESIGNS

have a happy weekend everyone :)

Shot Sharing: Colorado Sunrise

This past weekend I got to visit Colorado

(surprise, surprise)

I snapped these shots on the way to Winter Park Friday morning,

had to share this gorgeous mountain sunrise.

.

I also have to say how much I enjoyed myself at Winter Park.

The snow was absolutely amazing ... PERFECT conditions on Friday

so I decided to take out some demos.

First, I took out the 2012 Rossignol S7s.

I have been resisting the s7 hype, because quite frankly I can't stand to look at them.

The women's version is just ...

"not my cup of tea" to say the least.

Well, fret not if you share my views ... the men's version is exactly like the women's!

Same ski! So I took it out. It handled really well.

Turned well. Floated well. Good all around ski, 

though I still like the 2013 Icelantic Oracle and 2013 4Frnt Aretha better.

I also got to demo 2012 K2 Missdemeanors!

K2 Missdemeanors are in the K2 Park Ski line, but I was so pleasantly surprised at how well they held up all mountain.

I also think the top sheet is gorgeous.

They turned effortlessly and handled in the moguls. 

The floated decently on the powder 

and were extremely stable in crud. I was a big fan. 

(And no, this message isn't sponsored ... I wish haha)

Anyways, while I'm in the park mood,

flash back to xGames ... where everyone is in the park mood :)

Etsy Find: Cute and Broke

another etsy find :)

CUTE + BROKE

Leggings with Leather, Crochet Top Tunic, Black Shirt with Tulle

I really like this shop!!

their stuff is so girly yet edgy and it isn't outrageously expensive.

check it out :)

Even The Yummiest Fruits Go Stale :(

Happiness, success, love .. 

it's what makes the world go 'round ... obviously :)

and I always wish for these things

for myself and others, especially my friends. 

It is so sad when someone lets jealousy of another's success fill their normally large heart with envy and bitterness instead of love. 

As those of you who follow my blog know, just last week I found out that I was chosen to go to London to report on the summer 2012 Olympics as a photojournalist. Woot woot, London here I come :)

I was one of very few chosen based on my work as a photographer, graphic designer and blogger. To have one's work validated like that is wonderful and It was the proudest day of my life.  

You know, one of those days where I know someone more than my mom loves my stuff. You can't go through life with just mommy thinking you're special.

Well ... I am still floating on clouds of happiness. 

I was overwhelmed by the support of so many of my friends when I announced the news. It was one of those 150 likes on Facebook moments, where the old friends and the new pop up, and you are just so pleased with humanity that so many people can be happy for you. And you of course feel really popular ... just kidding.

Well, sadly, right after that lovely announcement, I had one person suddenly accuse me of copying her blog content. It is doubly strange since I started both my blog and my design company long before she did, and mine has changed very little over the last 4 years. 

In fact, when she started her blog, even though it disturbingly resembled my blog, I supported her and linked to her site as something my followers might enjoy too. I was happy for her success and have continued to be as she has modified and grown her blog and even started a photography business like mine too. 

Now, my success has somehow made her feel threatened. I'm sorry for that., and sorry for the fact that she can't find it in her heart to share in my happiness and success as I have hers. It is just so disheartening to know someone would try to take my talent and love for design from me. 

Here's to creativity. to originality. to good taste and even better designs. here's to entrepreneurial spirit and persistence despite the critics. here's to London :)

To all of my followers: thank you for your support. This network has grown so large, I am ecstatic every time I see my images pinned or my inbox flooded with compliments and comments about my work. You all have gotten me to this amazing point in my career and life and I could not be more grateful. 

End negative ramblings. Enter happy pictures of my life throughout the past few years:

LOVE - Jannah

Photography: Winter X Games Men's Big Air

this might be one of my favorite shots from the x-games

men's big air skiing

it was sooo cold, but for shots like this one, so worth it

Etsy Find: Ruff House Art

I struck gold yesterday:

Ruff House Art

Ruff House Art is a letterpress design shop on etsy

their artwork is amazing on its own, 

but can we please talk about these couches?!

they are so amazing. if my apartment wasn't the size of a shoebox,

 I would probably get them.

if you have space, quick, snatch them up HERE.